I am interested in making a project for my pet parakeets but am worried about what finish I can use that wont harm them if eaten. What type of finish/paint do you use (if any) and is it animal “friendly”

Very nice. My grandfather used to make something similar and would apply one-way mirror film on the outside (bird side) so that people moving around inside the house would not disturb the birds. It was really fun a kid to be able to get really close and watch the litte guys going to town on some seeds…and scare the daylights out of the occasional squirrel.